CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (August 16, 2024) – EPB has named Janet Rehberg to serve as president of its recently established Strategic Initiatives business unit. Building out this new business unit is the next step in EPB’s continuing strategy to keep Chattanooga on the cutting edge as the energy and communications industries undergo rapid change.

In her new role, Rehberg will leverage her extensive experience and leadership skills to spearhead future-facing initiatives with the goal of capitalizing on emerging opportunities for the benefit of the community. At the same time, EPB’s Energy and Communications business unit, with Ryan Keel as president, will continue to provide world-class technology and customer service through the company’s established business lines.

EPB CEO David Wade emphasized that Rehberg’s leadership of the new business unit brings an added dimension to EPB’s mission to serve the community. “As we explore how we can enhance and further utilize Chattanooga’s highly advanced energy and connectivity infrastructure to serve our customers, Janet’s proven track record of driving change and fostering innovation makes her a great fit for this role,” Wade said. “Her leadership will be instrumental as we work to provide community benefit through initiatives like EPB Quantum Network℠ while also serving customers by exploring innovative possibilities such as integrating geothermal energy into the EPB Local Energy Mix.”

Rehberg brings a wealth of experience to EPB, having spent nearly twenty years in leadership roles within the energy sector. Most recently, she served as Chief Strategy Officer & VP of Engineering for Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Aledo, Texas. In this position, she had responsibility for formulating strategy and leading a wide range of departments including engineering, system operations, field services, business development, community relations and legislative affairs. Her career reflects a depth of technical and operational expertise in delivering energy services as well as a strong commitment to innovation, sustainable operations and community benefit.

According to EPB Board Chair Vicky Gregg, Rehberg brings extensive expertise in navigating the evolving technology landscape. “Janet has consistently demonstrated a visionary approach throughout her career,” Gregg said. “Like EPB, her efforts reflect a rare combination of ‘putting people first’ while leveraging technology to serve the community.”

“EPB is well-known at the national level as an innovative technology leader that’s driven by its mission to serve customers,” Rehberg said. “I am excited to join EPB as we explore new ways to enhance the quality of life for our customers and the Chattanooga area as a whole.”

Rehberg holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tulsa and a Master of Business Administration from Capital University. She has numerous professional certifications including Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Demand Side Manager (CDSM) and Certified Emotional Intelligent Coach (EQI).

She is a long-standing member of the Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals (WiNUP), serving as president in 2014 and earning recognition through the organization’s Honorary Life Award in 2021. Rehberg has also served on numerous non-profit, community and professional boards and has been recognized as the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Project Mentor Match of the Year (2011) and as the Touchstone Energy Brand Champion in 2018.

A native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Rehberg’s parents immigrated from Vietnam in 1975. She embraces her heritage by speaking fluent Vietnamese and preparing traditional dishes. She and her husband enjoy supporting each other’s careers and hobbies. They are both travel enthusiasts and cherish spending time with family, friends, and their two dogs, Maxwell and Faraday.

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About EPB

EPB is a customer-focused technology company that delivers innovative power and telecommunications solutions to the Chattanooga area in pursuit of its mission to enhance the quality of life for the community it serves. In 2010, EPB completed a 100% fiber optic network accessible to all its customers as the basis for launching America’s first community-wide Gig speed internet. The company still operates the world’s fastest community-wide internet service today at speeds up to 25 Gig. EPB also utilizes Chattanooga’s fiber optic network as the communications backbone for the most advanced and highly automated power distribution system in the United States. In 2022, EPB continued its commitment to keeping Chattanooga on the cutting edge by establishing our nation’s first commercially available quantum network — EPB Quantum Network℠ powered by Qubitekk. This effort aligns local job creation efforts with the national priority to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technology.

Since switching the lights on for its first electric customer in 1939, EPB has grown to serve nearly a half a million people across a 600-square-mile service area with cutting-edge infrastructure that integrates power distribution and telecommunications. At the same time, EPB keeps customer benefit at the center of all its efforts, earning recognition from J.D. Power as the #1 Mid-Sized Utility in the South for the last eight consecutive years based on customer satisfaction ratings. Learn more at epb.com.